Lateral Tilting Treadmill Systems

ABSTRACT

A lateral tilting system comprising one or more crossbeams that are each pivotably supported by a respective base member for pivotable motion about a common longitudinal axis. A drive mechanism is operably connected to a drive shaft to mechanically drive pivotable motion of the crossbeams about the axis, and resulting lateral tilt of an associated treadmill deck. A control system may be included to receive a user&#39;s input for controlling an oscillation rate or other parameter of the lateral tilting, and optionally longitudinal incline of the treadmill deck. A novel treadmill including a lateral tilting system and a lateral tilting accessory for conventional exercise equipment are provided also.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/405,003, filed Jan. 12, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/278,076, filed Jan. 13, 2016, the entiredisclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise treadmills having adeck supporting a movable treadmill belt, and more particularly, to anovel treadmill having a tilting deck feature that reduces stress and/orwear on the anatomy of a user of the treadmill, and thus tends to avoidjoint and other physical injuries, and to an accessory to conventionaltreadmills for causing lateral tilting of a treadmill deck.

BACKGROUND

Exercising treadmills of various configurations are in widespread use.Generally, such treadmills permit walking or running “in place” indoorsto maintain a program of physical fitness or for medical testingpurposes. Generally, exercise treadmills include a frame extendinglengthwise of the treadmill that supports a treadmill deck. The deckgenerally includes a pair of laterally spaced apart side railssupporting a pair of longitudinally spaced apart (front and rear)rollers interposed therebetween and journaled with respect to the siderails. These rollers extend generally horizontally, and an endlesstreadmill belt is entrained around the rollers and the upper reach ofthe belt is supported by a bed or the like to provide surface that willsupport a user of the treadmill while walking or running thereon. Thetreadmill belt is driven by an electric motor or the like such that theupper reach of the belt moves from front to rear over the bed, thuspermitting a user of the treadmill to walk or run in a forward directionon the moving belt so as to remain stationary with respect to the frameof the treadmill. Typically, the speed of the treadmill belt can bevaried.

For a general description of such treadmills, reference may be made toour U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,822, issued Oct. 14, 1986, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

In addition to increasing or decreasing the speed of the belt to varythe amount of physical exertion expended by a user of the treadmill, itis common for the treadmill to have an elevation system that selectivelyraises the front of the treadmill belt/deck relative to the rear of thetreadmill belt/deck, thus inclining the jogging or walking surface suchthat a person walking or jogging on the upper reach of the treadmillbelt will, in essence, be required to walk or run uphill, thus expendingadditional energy. Examples of such an elevation system are provided inU.S. Pat. Nos. 3,643,943, 3,731,917, 3,826,491, 4,344,616, and in U.S.Design Pat. Nos. 270,555 and 273,029.

Common to these and many other prior art treadmills is that thetreadmill deck, belt and walking/running surface remain neutral, flat,horizontal, or otherwise are not adjustable in the lateral direction.Despite the incline provided in the fore/aft direction (analogous to“pitch”), the consistency of the horizontal/orientation (analogous to“roll”) leads to excessive repetitive motion, and resulting excessiverepetitive wearing on a limited portions of the anatomy, and inparticular, limited portions of the joints of the foot, ankle, need, andhip that correspond to the limited (neutral) roll position of the deck.

What is needed is an exercise equipment arrangement that lessens oravoids such excessive repetitive motion, and such resulting excessiverepetitive wearing on limited portions of the anatomy.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides exercise equipment arrangements thatlessen or avoid excessive repetitive motion, and resulting excessiverepetitive wearing on limited portions of the anatomy. Morespecifically, the present invention provides a treadmill arrangementthat allows for lateral tilting of the deck, from side to side(laterally, analogous to “roll”), without, or in addition to, anyelevation or incline of the deck from front to rear (longitudinally,analogous to “pitch”).

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a lateral tiltingsystem for conventional exercise equipment, such as a treadmill,exercise bicycle, elliptical machine, stair climber, or the like. Theconventional exercise equipment may or may not have inclinefunctionality. The lateral tilting system comprises one or more lateraltilt assemblies configured to laterally tilt the conventional exerciseequipment. The lateral tilting system may be configured to be a part of,or to couple directly to or support the conventional equipment on atiltable support surface, and thus tilts the entire conventionalequipment, such as a treadmill, including the conventional treadmill'sdeck.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a novel treadmillthat includes generally conventional components, but further includes alateral tiling system in accordance with the present invention atreadmill deck that is supported in a fashion providing lateral tilting,e.g., to raise or elevate a left lateral edge relative to a rightlateral edge, and/or to raise or elevate a right lateral edge relativeto the left lateral edge. Further, the treadmill is configured to causesuch tilting to vary during the course of operation.

By varying the lateral tilting of the treadmill's deck (or correspondingportion of other exercise equipment), the lateral tilting system causesa corresponding varying in the use and/or loading of the user's anatomy,which tends to vary loads over a broader range or portion of the joints,etc., and accordingly leads to reduced wearing on a limited portions ofthe anatomy, and in particular, less wear on limited portions of thejoints of the foot, ankle, need, and hip that correspond to the limited(neutral) roll position of the deck etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An understanding of the following description will be facilitated byreference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective and side views of an exemplary treadmillproviding for fore/aft longitudinal incline of the deck, as isrepresentative of the prior art;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are top and side views, respectively, of an exemplarylateral tilting system in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are end, top and magnified views, respectively, ofan exemplary lateral tilting assembly for a treadmill, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are end and top views, respectively, of an exemplarylateral tilting assembly for a treadmill, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are end and top views, respectively, of an exemplarytreadmill device, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary lateral tilting accessoryfor conventional exercise equipment, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the exemplary lateral tilting accessory of FIG.7, shown supporting a conventional prior art treadmill;

FIGS. 9A-9D depict lateral tilting device in various different stages oflateral tilt and longitudinal incline, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are end views depicting a treadmill including alateral tilting system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For non-limiting illustrative purposes, the present invention isdiscussed herein with reference to a treadmill-type exercise equipment.It is within the scope of the present invention, however, to adapt thetilting mechanisms described herein to other types of exerciseequipment.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective and side views of an exemplary treadmillproviding for fore/aft longitudinal incline of the deck, as isrepresentative of the prior art. This exemplary treadmill is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,449, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. By way of brief example, exemplaryprior art exercise treadmill 1 includes a frame, as generally indicatedat 3, having a pair of generally horizontally disposed, spaced apartside rails 5 a, 5 b. A bed 7 supported by rails 5 a and 5 b is disposedbetween the rails. An endless belt, as generally indicated at 9, isentrained around a front and a rear roller (not shown) interposedbetween and journaled with respect to side rails 5 a and 5 b, with theupper reach of the belt overlying bed 7 such that the upper reach of thebelt slides on the bed and is supported by the bed. In this manner, auser of treadmill 1 may walk or jog on the upper surface of the beltsupported by the bed. The frame 3 further includes a pair of spaceduprights 11 a, 11 b extending generally upwardly from a respective siderail 5 a, 5 b at the forward or front end of the frame. A control panel13 extends transversely between the upper ends of the uprights and afront frame 15 spans between the front ends of side rails 5 a, 5 b. Asindicated generally at 21, an adjustable elevation system for thetreadmill is provided. This treadmill elevation system is operable tocause the bed 7 and upper reach of belt 9 of treadmill 1 to beadjustable between a first position in which they are substantiallyhorizontal, to a raised or elevated position, as shown in FIG. 2, inwhich the forward end of bed 7 inclines upwardly such that the surfaceon which a user of the treadmill walks or jogs inclines upwardly oruphill. Consistent with the present invention, the conventionaltreadmill may have any suitable structure and any suitable elevationmechanism, if any.

Consistent with the present invention, FIGS. 3A and 3B show a top andside view, respectively, of an exemplary lateral tilting system for atreadmill, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.Referring now to FIG. 3A, the exemplary lateral tilting system 300comprises lateral tilt assemblies 302 and 304, a drive shaft 306 and adrive mechanism 308. In one embodiment, lateral tilt system furthercomprises a control system, 314, communicatively coupled to the drivemechanism. Further, lateral tilting system 300 may also comprise one ormore support braces 312 mechanically coupling lateral tilt assemblies302 and 304 to each other. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, asupport brace, 312B, is disposed below drive shaft 306.

Lateral tilting system 300 is mechanically coupled to the deck of atreadmill in a fashion that permits the deck of the treadmill to tiltlaterally, from side to side, e.g. to roll about a longitudinallyextending axis in the Y-direction, as shown in FIG. 3A. For referencethe deck of the treadmill is an elongated deck with a belt extendingbetween two side rails. Any suitable structure may be used to permitlateral tilting system 300 to laterally tilt the deck of the treadmille.g., to raise or elevate a left lateral edge relative to a rightlateral edge, and/or to raise or elevate a right lateral edge relativeto the left lateral edge. The left and right lateral edges may refer tothe long edges of a treadmill and are parallel to the direction ofmotion of the treadmill belt. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.3, lateral tilting system is mechanically coupled to the deck of thetreadmill through at least two lateral tilt assemblies, 302 and 304.Although two lateral tilt assemblies are shown, in various embodiments,one or more than two lateral tilt assemblies may be employed. Eachlateral tilt assembly comprises a support mechanism configured to becoupled to the deck of the treadmill and to apply lateral tiltingmovement to the deck. Each lateral tilt assembly includes a crossbeamthat is pivotably mounted to a pivot support member, such as basemembers, 408 or 508, for pivoting motion relative to a first position,and is coupled to the deck. Each lateral tilt assembly engages theground. In one embodiment, each lateral tilt assembly comprises one ormore feet coupled to each respective base member (e.g., 408 and 508)that support lateral tilt system 300 and engage the ground. In anotherembodiment, lateral tilt assembly 304 comprises one or more feet coupledto base 508 and lateral tilt assembly 302 is coupled to an elevationsystem (e.g., 310), where that the one or more feet and the elevationsystem 310 support lateral tilt system 300 and engage the ground.Alternatively, lateral tilt system 300 may comprise one or more feetcoupled to its base member while also being coupled to an elevationsystem. In such an embodiment, the feet may engage the ground whilethere is no horizontal tilt (longitudinal incline), supporting at leasta portion of lateral tilt system 300. Further, the feet may remainengaged with the ground in the when the treadmill is horizontally tiltedor the feet may be disengaged from the ground when the treadmill ishorizontally tilted. In one embodiment, at least two lateral tiltassemblies are positioned in a spaced longitudinal relationship alongthe direction of elongation where each lateral tilt assembly includes anupper brace pivotably supported on a lower brace, e.g., by joining theupper and lower braces with a pivot pin.

FIG. 4A is an end view of lateral tilting assembly 302 and FIG. 4B is atop view of lateral tilting assembly 302. In the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lateral tilting assembly 302 comprises a pivotsupport member 402, crossbeam 404 and drive hub 406. Lateral tiltingassembly 302 further comprises base member 408 and connection component410. Crossbeam 404 is rotatably coupled to pivot support member 402 in afashion that permits that crossbeam 404 to pivot about a pivot point,e.g., as defined by a pivot pin, bolt of the like. In one embodiment,pivot support member 402 is connected to a central location of crossbeam404. Pivot support member 402 may be triangular in shape and be coupledto crossbeam 404 adjacent a vertex in a fashion that allows crossbeam404 to pivot about an axis adjacent the vertex. In one embodiment,connection component 410 is configured to be coupled to the frame of atreadmill deck, or a support for conventional exercise equipment.Further, in one embodiment, drive mechanism 308 is supported on lateraltilting assembly 302, as is shown in FIG. 4B. However, in otherembodiments, drive mechanism 308 may be supported on other aspects oflateral tilting system 300.

Drive hub 406 is coupled to a first end of crossbeam 404 and receivesdrive shaft 306. In one embodiment, drive hub 406 is coupled tocrossbeam 404 at a distal location along crossbeam 404. As shown in FIG.4C, Drive hub 406 may be coupled to a support brace (e.g., 312) passingthrough base member 408 of tilting assembly 302 through a connectinglink arm, connecting link arm 412. Alternatively, drive hub 406 may becoupled directly to base member 408 of tilting assembly 302 throughconnecting link arm 412. Further, drive hub 406 may be coupled tocrossbeam 404 in a fashion that permits that drive hub 406 to transfermotion from drive shaft 306 to crossbeam 404, pivoting crossbeam aboutpivot member 402. Drive hub 406 transfers motion driven onto drive shaft306 by drive mechanism 308 to crossbeam 404, causing the end ofcrossbeam 404 coupled to drive hub 406 and drive shaft 306 to rise andfall. In one embodiment, a pin is eccentrically mounted to drive shaft306 and is coupled to the connecting link arm, such that axial rotationof draft shaft 306 causes eccentric motion of the pin. The eccentricmotion of the pin causes reciprocating motion of the end of theconnecting link arm connected to support brace 312 or base member 408,such that reciprocating lateral tilting of the crossbeam 404 isprovided.

Lateral tilting assembly 304 is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5Ais an end view of lateral tilting assembly 304 and FIG. 5B is a top viewof lateral tilting assembly 304. Lateral tilting assembly 304 comprisessimilar features as lateral tilting assembly 302 and functions in asimilar way to laterally pivot the treadmill. In one embodiment, tiltingassembly 304 comprises a pivot support member 502, crossbeam 504 anddrive hub 506. Crossbeam 504 is pivotably coupled to pivot supportmember 502 in a fashion that permits that crossbeam 504 to pivot about apivot point. In one embodiment, pivot support member 502 is coupled to ageometric central location of crossbeam 504. Pivot support member 502may be triangular in shape and be coupled to crossbeam 504 adjacent avertex in a fashion that allows crossbeam 504 to pivot about an axisadjacent the vertex. In one embodiment, connection component 510 isconfigured to be coupled to the frame of a treadmill or a support forconventional exercise equipment.

Drive hub 506 is coupled to a first end of crossbeam 504 and drive shaft306. In one embodiment, drive hub 506 is coupled to crossbeam 504 at adistal location along crossbeam 504. Drive hub 506 may be coupled to asupport brace (e.g., 312) passing through base member 508 of lateraltilt assembly 304 through a connecting link arm. Alternatively, drivehub 506 may be coupled directly to base member 508 of lateral tiltassembly 304 through a connecting link arm. Drive hub 506 may be coupledto crossbeam 504 in a fashion that permits that drive hub 506 totransfer motion to crossbeam 504, pivoting crossbeam about pivot member502. Drive hub 506 may transfer motion driven onto drive shaft 306 bydrive motor 308 to crossbeam 504, causing the end of crossbeam 504coupled to drive hub 506 and drive shaft 306 to rise and fall. In oneembodiment, a pin is eccentrically mounted to drive shaft 306 and iscoupled to the connecting link arm, such that axial rotation of draftshaft 306 causes eccentric motion of the pin. The eccentric motion ofthe pin causes reciprocating motion of the end of the connecting linkarm connected to support brace 312 or base member 508, such thatreciprocating lateral tilting of the crossbeam 504 is provided. Lateraltilt assembly 304 may further comprise at least one support componentconfigured to be in contact with the ground or floor. Each supportcomponent may be adjustable to level the treadmill. Further, eachsupport component may comprise a wheel, such that the treadmill may bemoved.

In one embodiment, lateral tilt assembly 302 and lateral tilt assembly304 are each individually coupled and driven by separate drive motors(e.g., drive mechanism 308). The drive hub of each lateral tilt assemblymay be coupled to a respective drive motor by a different drive shaftsuch that each lateral tilting assembly may be individually driven. Eachdrive motor may drive a respective drive shaft and, in turn, a drive hubin a manner as described above. In one embodiment, a single drive shaftis driven by each drive motor such that each lateral tilting assembliesare simultaneously driven.

A drive mechanism 308 is provided for driving the tilt of the lateraltilting system 300 and may be referred to as a drive motor in one ormore embodiments. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism includes anelectric motor, rotary actuator or linear actuator operable to drivedraft shaft 306. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B, drive mechanism 308 may becoupled to lateral tilting assembly 302. However, in other embodiments,drive mechanism 308 may be coupled to other features of lateral titlingsystem 300 shown or not shown. The drive mechanism may comprise at leastone motor and a gear box coupled to drive shaft 306 and configured toimpart motion to the drive shaft, and in response, change the tilt oflateral tilt assemblies 302 and 304 In one embodiment, as shown in FIG.8, drive mechanism 308 extends one or more actuators, not shown, causingtilt in a first (e.g., clockwise) direction, and operation of the drivemechanism 308 to retract an actuator causes tilt in a second, opposite(e.g., counterclockwise) direction. In another embodiment, drivemechanism 308 extends an actuator of a pivot point causing tilt in afirst (e.g., clockwise) direction, and retracts an actuator of a pivotpoint causing tilt in a second, opposite (e.g., counterclockwise)direction.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are end and top views, respectively, of an illustrate analternative embodiment of a treadmill 600 incorporating lateral tiltingsystem 300. In this exemplary embodiment, the treadmill 600 includesmany generally conventional components, but further includes inaccordance with the present invention a treadmill deck 620 that issupported in a fashion permitting lateral tilting, e.g., to raise orelevate a left lateral edge relative to a right lateral edge, and/or toraise or elevate a right lateral edge relative to the left lateral edge.Further, the treadmill is configured to cause such tilting to varyduring the course of operation, e.g., by way control system 314 similarto that described above.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the treadmill 600 includes a frame, asgenerally indicated at 604, having a pair of generally horizontallydisposed, spaced apart side rails 606, 608. The frame and side rails areconfigured to rest in a stable manner upon the floor. The lateraltilting deck 620 is supported by rails 606 and 608 and disposed betweenthe rails. An endless belt, as generally indicated at 612, is entrainedaround front and rear rollers interposed between and journaled withrespect to side rails 606 and 608, with the upper reach of the beltoverlying lateral tilting deck 620 such that the upper reach of the beltslides on the lateral tilting deck 620 and is supported by the lateraltilting deck 620. In this manner, a user of treadmill may walk or jog onthe upper surface of the belt supported by the lateral tilting deck 620.Optionally, an adjustable elevation system for longitudinally incliningthe treadmill may be provided. This elevation system, elevation system310, is operable to cause the lateral tilting deck 620 and upper reachof belt 612 of the treadmill to be adjustable between a first positionin which they are substantially horizontal, to a raised or inclinedposition, in which the forward end of lateral tilting deck 620 inclinesupwardly at an elevation angle such that the surface on which a user ofthe treadmill walks or jogs inclines upwardly or uphill.

In accordance with the present invention, the lateral tilting deck 620is further supported for lateral tilting movement, relative to theframe. More specifically, the lateral tilting deck 620 is supported onand mechanically coupled to the frame 604 in a fashion that permits asupport table to tilt laterally, from side to side, e.g. to roll aboutan axis in the X-direction shown in FIG. 7. Any suitable structure maybe used to support the lateral tilting deck 620 in a fashion permittinglateral tilting, e.g., to raise or elevate a left lateral edge relativeto a right lateral edge, and/or to raise or elevate a right lateral edgerelative to the left lateral edge. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 6B, the lateral tilting deck 620 is mechanically coupled to theframe 604 by lateral tilting system 300. In the illustrated embodiment,lateral tilting system 300 comprises at least two pivot mounts 630positioned in spaced longitudinal relationship along the direction ofelongation of the lateral tilting deck 620. Each pivot mount 630includes an upper brace 732 pivotably supported on a lower brace 734,e.g., by joining the upper and lower braces 732, 734 with a pivot pin736. The upper braces 732 are joined to the lateral tilting deck 620 ina manner that does not interfere with the movement of the endless beltabout the rollers on which it is supported.

A drive mechanism, e.g., drive mechanism 308, is provided for drivingthe tilt of the tilting accessory 700. In one embodiment the drivemechanism includes an electric motor or linear actuator operable toextend or retract a drive member, and the drive mechanism ismechanically coupled, e.g. via bosses, yokes or other structures 716,726 to each of the frame 704 and the lateral tilting deck. In thismanner, operation of the drive mechanism 740 to extend an actuatorcauses tile in a first (e.g., clockwise) direction, and operation of thedrive mechanism 740 to retract an actuator causes tilt in a second,opposite (e.g., counterclockwise) direction, as well be appreciated fromthe exemplary drive mechanism shown in FIG. 8. A similar control system314 is further provided, and the device operates in a manner similar tothat described below.

Control system 314 is provided for supplying power and/or other controlssignals to the drive mechanism to cause operation of the drivemechanism. In one embodiment, control system 314 is configured to beresponsive to user input, e.g., to tilt the deck of the treadmill inaccordance with tilt instructions provided as input by a user. Inanother embodiment, control system 314 is configured to operateautomatically and/or programmatically. For example, in one mode, controlsystem 314 causes tilting of the treadmill deck according to apredefined program/profile, or according to passage of predeterminedtime intervals, and/or to cycle tilting at a predefined, oruser-specified rate. In a preferred embodiment, control system 314 isprovided to cause the tilt to be varied in cyclical fashion between aprescribed tilt in each direction. Control system 314 may providecontrol signals to drive mechanism 308 to drive the lateral tiltingassemblies to laterally tilt the treadmill by +/−3°. In otherembodiments, treadmill may be laterally tilted by +/−5° or more.Further, control system 314 may provide control signals to vary the rateof lateral oscillation, e.g., between one to three cycles per minute. Inother embodiments, the lateral oscillation may be greater than threecycles per minute. In this mode, the tilting varies the loading of thejoints/anatomy during walking/running, and tends to better distributewear/stress over a relatively larger area of joints, etc. In anothermode, the control system causes provides a relatively static tilt—e.g.,one that does not vary during an intended exercise period. In this mode,the tilting causes loading of the joints/anatomy in a prescribed fashionaccording to the provided tile, for example to favor one side or anotherof the body, to accommodate arthritic or pathologic conditions. By wayof non-limiting example, these conditions may be present as medial kneearthritis, lateral knee arthritis or in any other joint or bone thatwould benefit from deviation of the mechanical axis of the body.

In one or more embodiments, lateral tilt system 300 may comprise anadjustable elevation system 310 that may be coupled to lateral tiltingassembly 302 to horizontally raise and lower one end of the deck oftreadmill, longitudinally inclining the treadmill or another type ofexercise equipment. In other embodiments, elevation system 310 may becoupled to other aspects of lateral tilting system 300 or of thetreadmill in a fashion that allows elevation system to adjust theincline of the treadmill deck in a conventional fashion. For example,elevation system 310 may be configured to cause an upper reach of thebelt of the treadmill to be adjustable between a first position, inwhich it is substantially horizontal, to a raised or inclined position,in which the forward end of belt inclines upwardly at an elevated angle.Further, elevation system 310 may comprise a conventional treadmill deckincline mechanism, such as a rod component that is inserted into ahousing component. As the rod component is driven into or extracted fromthe housing component, the treadmill is longitudinally inclined. In oneembodiment, the rod and housing components are threaded and the rodcomponent is threaded into and out of the housing component to raise andlower the deck of the treadmill. In one embodiment, as the rod componentis driven into the housing component, elevation system 310 moves awayfrom a first end of treadmill, lowering the first end decreasinglongitudinal incline, and as the rod component is extracted from thehousing component, elevation system 310 moves closer to the first end oftreadmill, raising the first end of the treadmill and increasing thelongitudinal incline. Elevation system 310 may comprise one or morewheels that allow elevation system 310 to move closer to or away fromthe treadmill, raising and lowering a first end of treadmill,longitudinally inclining the treadmill.

In various embodiments, control system 314 provides control signalsdrive mechanism 308 to drive to lateral tilting system 300 and/orelevation system 310 to laterally and/or longitudinally incline thetreadmill at the same time. In one embodiment, control system 314instructs drive mechanism 308 to drive lateral tilting device 300 tolaterally tilt the treadmill during a first period and elevation system310 is configured to longitudinally incline the treadmill during asecond period, where the first period and second period are at leastpartially overlapping in time. FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment wheretreadmill 900 is neither laterally tilted nor longitudinally inclined.FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment where treadmill 900 is laterallytilted but not longitudinally inclined. FIG. 9C illustrates anembodiment where treadmill 900 is longitudinally inclined but notlaterally tilted. FIG. 9D illustrates an embodiment where treadmill 900is both laterally tilted and longitudinally inclined.

In one embodiment, lateral tilting system 300 laterally tilts thetreadmill from side to side while maintaining the treadmill deck at aconstant longitudinal incline. In other embodiments, the longitudinalincline may be adjusted by elevation system 310 while the lateral tiltremains constant. In other embodiments, the lateral tilt andlongitudinal incline may be adjusted at the same time.

In accordance with an one embodiment of the present invention, asillustrated in FIG. 9D, treadmill 900 includes many generallyconventional components, but further includes in accordance with thepresent invention a treadmill frame 902 that is supported in a fashionpermitting lateral tilting, e.g., to raise or elevate a left lateraledge relative to a right lateral edge, and/or to raise or elevate aright lateral edge relative to the left lateral edge. Further, thetreadmill is configured to cause such tilting to vary during the courseof operation, e.g., by way of a control system similar to that describedabove. Treadmill 900 further comprises side rail 904 and 906, deck 910and belt 908. Frame 902 may be coupled to connection components 410 and510 of lateral tilting assemblies 302 and 304.

Frame 902 further comprises deck 910 that is disposed between the rails.Deck 910 may be an elongated deck. An endless belt, as generallyindicated by 908, is entrained around a front and a rear rollerinterposed between and journaled with respect to side rails 904 and 906,with the upper reach of the belt overlying deck 610 such that the upperreach of the belt slides on deck 610 and is supported by deck 610.

Treadmill 900 may also comprise one or more handrails, not shown. Thehandrails may be disposed along the side rails of the deck extendingaway from the deck of the treadmill in a fashion such that they can beheld by a user. In one embodiment, as treadmill 900 is laterally tilted,the handrails do not move in relation to the deck, 910, of thetreadmill. The deck of the treadmill may be configured to slide over thehandrails such that treadmill may be laterally tilted while thehandrails remain at a constant position relative to the deck. Further,the handrails may tilt longitudinally as the deck is longitudinallyinclined. In such an embodiment, the handrails may remain at a constantposition relative to deck 902 when the deck is longitudinally inclined.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are end views of treadmill 900 comprising handrails1010 and console 1020 mounted to lateral tilting system 300. In oneembodiment, console 1020 houses control system 314. In the embodiment ofFIG. 10B, treadmill 900 is laterally tilted by tilting system 300.Further, while a specific configuration of lateral tilting system 300may be shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B any configuration as described may beimplemented. For example, treadmill 900 may be mounted to a supporttable and then coupled to a lateral titling system 300 as describedbelow.

In one embodiment, lateral tilting system 300 may be coupled to asupport table (e.g., 720) that is configured to support conventionalexercise equipment. For example, the support table may support atreadmill or a stationary bicycle. However, the support table may beconfigured to support other types of exercise equipment. In accordancewith the present invention, the support table may tilt laterally, fromside to side, laterally tilting the exercise equipment. Any suitablestructure may be used to support the treadmill in a fashion permittinglateral tilting, e.g., to raise or elevate a left lateral edge relativeto a right lateral edge, and/or to raise or elevate a right lateral edgerelative to the left lateral edge. For example, one or more lateral tiltassemblies (e.g., 302, 304 and/or 630) may be used to laterally tilt thetable.

Consistent with the present invention, FIGS. 7 and 8 show an exemplarylateral tilting system 300 for a conventional treadmill, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, lateraltilting system 300 may be an accessory, lateral tilting accessory 700,coupled to support table 720 or a piece of exercise equipment. Referringnow to FIGS. 7 and 8, the exemplary lateral tilting system 300 mayinclude a rigid base 710 on which ground/floor engaging feet 712 areprovided.

As is illustrated in FIG. 7, support table 720 may not be square, butrather may be extended in the longitudinal direction (e.g., x-directionin FIG. 3). The support table is supported on and mechanically coupledlateral tilting system 300. Support table 720 is preferably sized tosupport the base/frame structure of a treadmill or another type ofexercise equipment, so that the equipment is wholly supported upon thesupport table in a manner similar to the manner in which it would besupported on the floor or ground. Support table 720 is thus sufficientlyrigid to support the weight of the exercise equipment and the user insecure fashion during operation.

In one embodiment, the support table comprises clamp members that arearranged to provide support at the front, rear, and both sides of atreadmill. The clamp members are configured to extended above a surfaceof the support table to abut and brace portions of the treadmill'sstructure, to support the treadmill during tilting. In a preferredembodiment, each clamp member is configured to define a slot forreceiving a bolt of other fastener for fixing the clamp member to thesupport table. Preferably, each of the slots is elongated to allow forlateral or longitudinal adjustment of the clamp member relative to thefastener, to allow the clamp members to be adjusted and fixed in variousdifferent positions to abut and brace treadmills having base structuresof differing sizes and lengths.

In accordance with the present invention, the support table 720 ismechanically coupled to the base 710 in a fashion that permits thesupport table to tilt laterally, from side to side, e.g. to roll aboutthe x-axis shown in FIG. 7. Any suitable structure may be used to permitthe support table 720 in a fashion permitting lateral tilting, e.g., toraise or elevate a left lateral edge 720 a relative to a right lateraledge 720 b, and/or to raise or elevate a right lateral edge 720 brelative to the left lateral edge 720 a. In the exemplary embodimentshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the support table 720 is mechanically coupled tothe base 710 by at least two lateral tilt assemblies, each comprising apivot mount, the pivot mounts positioned in spaced longitudinalrelationship along the direction of elongation of the support table 720.Each pivot mount 730 includes an upper brace 732 pivotably supported ona lower brace 734, e.g., by joining the upper and lower braces 732, 734with a pivot pin 736.

The support table 720 further includes clamp members 728. In a preferredembodiment, the clamp members are arranged to provide support at thefront, rear, and both sides of a treadmill, as shown in FIG. 7. Theclamp members 728 are configured to extended above a surface of thesupport table to abut and brace portions of the treadmill's structure,to support the treadmill during tilting. In a preferred embodiment, eachclamp member is configured to define a slot 729 for receiving a bolt ofother fastener 727 for fixing the clamp member 728 to the support table720. Preferably, each of the slots 729 is elongated to allow for lateralor longitudinal adjustment of the clamp member relative to the fastener727, to allow the clamp members to be adjusted and fixed in variousdifferent positions to abut and brace treadmills having base structuresof differing sizes and lengths, as best shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 showsclamps 728 adjusted and fastened to the support table 720 in positionsto abut and brace the treadmill base structure.

Optionally, side skirts 760 may be joined along the sides of the supporttable or treadmill frame, and extending downwardly therefrom to cover agap between the base and support table, and to reduce the likelihood ofhands, feet, or other objects being pinched therebetween during tilting.

Each of the braces preferably includes transversely extending borespermitting each brace to be screwed, bolted, or otherwise joined to oneof the base 710 and the support table 720, as best shown in FIG. 8.Further, one or both of the braces preferably includes shoulder disposedand configured to physically abut one another at a maximum lateraltilting angle. In this manner, each brace further acts to provide amechanical stop to limit sideward tilting. In one embodiment, the bracesare configured to provide an equal maximum amount of tilt in each of thelateral directions (e.g., both clockwise and counterclockwise about anaxis extending through the braces). In one embodiment, the maximum tiltis preferably limited to no more than 10 degrees from horizontal in eachdirection, and more preferably is limited to no more than 5 degrees fromhorizontal in each direction

A drive mechanism (e.g., 308) is provided for driving the tilt of thetilting accessory. In one embodiment the drive mechanism includes anelectric motor or linear actuator operable to extend or retract a drivemember, and the drive mechanism is mechanically coupled, e.g. viabosses, yokes or other structures 816, 826 to each of the base 710 andthe support table 720. In this manner, operation of the drive mechanism308 to extend an actuator causes tile in a first (e.g., clockwise)direction, and operation of the drive mechanism 340 to retract anactuator causes tilt in a second, opposite (e.g., counterclockwise)direction, as well be appreciated from the exemplary drive mechanismshown in FIG. 8.

During operation, a conventional treadmill may be placed on the supporttable 720 and be supported stably, e.g., by adjusting the clamp members728 to abut and brace a base structure of the treadmill. Theconventional treadmill may then be operated in a conventional fashion,which may include adjustment of the belt speed and/or adjustment of theincline of the treadmill's deck. During operation of the treadmill,lateral tilting system 300 may be operated to cause sideways/lateraltilting of the support table and resulting sideways/lateral tilting ofthe treadmill's deck. As noted above, the control system may permitvarious modes of user input and/or cause various modes of tilting, butin any event varies the tilting, and preferably automatically varies thetilting over time, in cyclical fashion.

Varying the lateral tilt of a treadmill during use varies the impact andloading of an upright treadmill user's anatomy, and by varying thetilting over time, results in spreading of the impact and loading over abroader range of the anatomy and joint surfaces that is broader than thelimited portion of the anatomy and joint surfaces that are impacted andloaded in a static (non-tilting) arrangement, which in turn reducesrepetitive motion/wear on the joints/anatomy, reduces injury, andpresently less strain on previously-injured anatomical structures.

Having thus described a few particular embodiments of the invention,various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occurto those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, andimprovements as are made obvious by this disclosure are intended to bepart of this description though not expressly stated herein, and areintended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, andnot limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in the followingclaims and equivalents thereto.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A lateral tilting system for a treadmill, thelateral tilting system comprising: a first pivot support memberpermitting lateral tilting of a supported member; and a second pivotsupport member permitting lateral tilting of the supported member; and adrive mechanism configured to drive the supported member in lateraltilting motion by pivoting the supported member relative to said firstpivot support member and said second pivot support member.
 22. Thelateral tiling system of claim 21, further comprising a control systemoperably connected to said drive mechanism and selectively supplyingcontrol signals to said drive motor to cause operation of said drivemotor.
 23. The lateral tilting system of claim 21, further comprising acontrol system communicatively coupled to said drive mechanism, saidcontrol system being configured to provide instructions to said drivemechanism to laterally tilt said supported member during a first periodand provide instructions to an elevation system to elevate said firstpivot support member relative to said second pivot support member duringa second period.
 24. The lateral tilting system of claim 23, whereinsaid first period and second period at least partially overlap.
 25. Thelateral tilting system of claim 21, wherein said supported member issupported on said first and second pivot support members for pivotalmotion about a common axis.
 26. A treadmill comprising: an elongateddeck supporting an endless belt; at least one lateral tilt assemblysupporting said elongated deck, said at least one lateral tilt assemblybeing configured to provide lateral tilting of said elongated deck abouta first axis extending in a direction of elongation of said elongateddeck; a drive mechanism operably coupled to said at least one lateraltilt assembly and selectively operable to drive lateral tilting of saidelongated deck about said first axis; and a control system operablyconnected to said drive mechanism and selectively supplying controlsignals to said drive mechanism to cause operation of said drivemechanism.
 27. The treadmill of claim 26, wherein said at least onelateral tilt assembly comprises a first lateral tilt assembly and asecond lateral tilt assembly: said first lateral tilt assemblycomprising: a first pivot support member; a first crossbeam supported onsaid first pivot support member for pivotable motion relative thereto;and a first drive hub coupled to said first crossbeam; and said secondlateral tilt assembly comprises: a second pivot support member; and asecond crossbeam supported on said second pivot support member forpivotable motion relative thereto; and a second drive hub coupled tosaid second crossbeam.
 28. The treadmill of claim 27, further comprisingat least one drive shaft coupled to said first drive hub and said seconddrive hub, and wherein said drive mechanism is coupled to said at leastone drive shaft and configured to drive said drive shaft to pivot saidfirst crossbeam and said second crossbeam.
 29. The treadmill of claim27, further comprising an elevation system configured to longitudinallyincline said deck.
 30. The treadmill of claim 27, wherein said controlsystem communicates instructions to said drive mechanism to drive saidfirst lateral tilt assembly and said second lateral tilt assembly inaccordance with said user input.
 31. The treadmill of claim 27, whereinsaid control system is configured to be responsive to user input toresponsively cause tilting of said elongated deck.
 32. The treadmill ofclaim 27, wherein said first drive hub comprises a first pin coupled toa drive shaft such that axial rotation of said drive shaft provided bysaid drive mechanism causes eccentric motion of said pin andreciprocating lateral tilting of said first crossbeam, and said seconddrive hub comprises a second pin coupled to said drive shaft such thataxial rotation of said drive shaft provided by said drive mechanismcauses eccentric motion of said pin and reciprocating lateral tilting ofsaid second crossbeam.
 33. The treadmill of claim 26, wherein saidcontrol system is configured vary said lateral tilting of said deckbased on at least one of a predefined program, passage of apredetermined time interval, and a cyclical tilting rate.
 34. Thetreadmill of claim 26, wherein said first drive hub comprises a firstpin coupled to a drive shaft such that axial rotation of said driveshaft provided by said drive mechanism causes eccentric motion of saidpin and reciprocating lateral tilting of said deck, and said seconddrive hub comprises a second pin coupled to said drive shaft such thataxial rotation of said drive shaft provided by said drive mechanismcauses eccentric motion of said pin and reciprocating lateral tilting ofsaid deck.
 35. The treadmill of claim 26, further comprising anelevation system configured to longitudinally incline said deck.
 36. Thetreadmill of claim 34, wherein said control system is configured toprovide instructions to said drive mechanism to laterally tilt said deckduring a first period and provide instructions to an elevation system tolongitudinally include said deck during a second period.
 37. Anaccessory for supporting exercise equipment having a base, the accessorycomprising: an elongated rigid base; at least one pivot mount supportedon said base, said at least one pivot mount having a respective supportsurface and being disposed to provide tilting of said support surfacelaterally relative to said base; a support table supported on said atleast one pivot mount, said support table being sized to support thebase of the equipment; a drive mechanism operably connected between saidsupport table and said base and selectively operable to drive lateraltilting of said support table; and a control system operably connectedto said drive mechanism and selectively supplying control signals tosaid drive mechanism to cause operation of said drive mechanism.
 38. Theaccessory of claim 37, wherein said drive mechanism comprises at leastone of an electric motor and a linear actuator operable to extend orretract a drive member.
 39. The accessory of claim 37, wherein each ofsaid at least one pivot mounts comprises an upper brace having a supportsurface pivotably supported on and joined to a lower brace by a pivotpin.
 40. The accessory of claim 37, wherein said support table comprisesa clamp member adjustable in position relative to said support table toabut and support the base of the exercise equipment.